Hillsdale votes down ordinance to control growth of bamboo

By James Leggate

Staff Writer |

Pascack Valley Community Life

Hillsdale officials voted unanimously Aug. 12 to shoot down a proposed ordinance controlling bamboo in the borough, but they have plans to revisit the proposed ordinance after receiving feedback from residents.

The proposed ordinance would have relegated the planting of new bamboo to closed containers at least 10 feet from property lines. It also would have required all property owners with previously planted bamboo to prevent it from spreading, or they could have faced fines of as much as $100 per day and been responsible for the costs of removing the bamboo.

The plant comes from Asia and is reportedly one of the fastest-growing in the world. It can quickly spread via its underground runners, easily crossing property lines and potentially breaking concrete or asphalt in its path.

"It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie," Councilman Larry Meyerson said after hearing descriptions of the speed at which the plant can grow and spread.

Officials had been ready to vote on the ordinance Tuesday night, but Colonial Boulevard resident Lisa Schoelles asked the council to modify the proposed grandfather clause. Her yard, as well as several neighboring properties, all have bamboo which was planted sometime before any of the current owners moved there and no one knows where it was planted first, she said.

Stopping the plant from spreading further requires daily maintenance, which they do, Schoelles said.

"It would take a backhoe to remove all those roots," she said.

She estimated the removal would cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars with no guarantee of success.

Henry Hecht, who moved into his Piermont Avenue home last year, said that a neighbor's uncontrolled bamboo had spread from more than 10 feet away last year into his yard this year. He urged the council to pass the ordinance.

However, determining who planted any bamboo in the borough could be difficult, according to Borough Attorney Eric Bernstein.

"You're going to end up with an enforcement nightmare," Bernstein said.

Several officials said they might look to completely ban the planting of bamboo in a new version of the proposed ordinance, while also giving greater leeway to those like Schoelles, who are responsible with maintenance of pre-existing bamboo.

Hillsdale votes down ordinance to control growth of bamboo

By James Leggate

Staff Writer |

Pascack Valley Community Life

Hillsdale officials voted unanimously Aug. 12 to shoot down a proposed ordinance controlling bamboo in the borough, but they have plans to revisit the proposed ordinance after receiving feedback from residents.

The proposed ordinance would have relegated the planting of new bamboo to closed containers at least 10 feet from property lines. It also would have required all property owners with previously planted bamboo to prevent it from spreading, or they could have faced fines of as much as $100 per day and been responsible for the costs of removing the bamboo.

The plant comes from Asia and is reportedly one of the fastest-growing in the world. It can quickly spread via its underground runners, easily crossing property lines and potentially breaking concrete or asphalt in its path.

"It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie," Councilman Larry Meyerson said after hearing descriptions of the speed at which the plant can grow and spread.

Officials had been ready to vote on the ordinance Tuesday night, but Colonial Boulevard resident Lisa Schoelles asked the council to modify the proposed grandfather clause. Her yard, as well as several neighboring properties, all have bamboo which was planted sometime before any of the current owners moved there and no one knows where it was planted first, she said.

Stopping the plant from spreading further requires daily maintenance, which they do, Schoelles said.

"It would take a backhoe to remove all those roots," she said.

She estimated the removal would cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars with no guarantee of success.

Henry Hecht, who moved into his Piermont Avenue home last year, said that a neighbor's uncontrolled bamboo had spread from more than 10 feet away last year into his yard this year. He urged the council to pass the ordinance.

However, determining who planted any bamboo in the borough could be difficult, according to Borough Attorney Eric Bernstein.

"You're going to end up with an enforcement nightmare," Bernstein said.

Several officials said they might look to completely ban the planting of bamboo in a new version of the proposed ordinance, while also giving greater leeway to those like Schoelles, who are responsible with maintenance of pre-existing bamboo.